When did your boxer start to slow down?

[neilsmom2000]

My snuggle puppy Lara seems to have slowed down quite a bit in the last few months. She is not quite 5-1/2. There have been some changes to her lifestyle lately, and I wonder if it's because she's getting older and (finally) settling down, or if there's something else going on.

The biggest change has been losing her brother, Wilson, last November. I feel she was unsettled when he died, and am not sure she's quite over it.

Now that we're down to one dog, Lara no longer has to compete for treats, so she has put on a few pounds. This is actually a good thing; Lara has always been a super skinny boxer, and we're happy to see she's filled out a bit.

Lara has really mellowed in the last few months. She sleeps a lot more. She's not as hyper as she once was, though she is occasionally still playful, and still likes her squeaky toy time. That enthusiastic puppy is definately gone though, and has been replaced by this much more laid back dog.
Other than having a few hystocitomas (sp?) and some tumours on her gums (which haven't changed in a long time), she has been pronounced healthy by our vet.

Maybe I'm just paranoid having lost Wilson at a young age, but I do wonder if this new laid back behaviour is normal in a dog Lara's age, or if something else is going on.

Does 5-1/2 sound like the right age for a boxer to shift gears from high to low?

 

[atlasmom911]

Atlas will be 6 yrs old in March and I have noticed that he has slowed down a little bit. He still plays alot with his toys but he takes more naps.

 

[kazsmom]

Kaster slowed down immensely after Isabelle passed last February. He'll be five in March and it's like he grew up overnight. About a month ago I noticed him limping and holding his back leg -- turns out it's early stages of arthritis...and it makes me so sad to see him getting the same symptoms that Belle had in her last years. It's hard to see them grow older, isn't it??!!

 

[sandy's mom]

My Sandy will be 6 in June, she has not slowed down much. She also has arthritus in her back leg but that only slows her running a bit, she still plays and wants to be petted all the time.

 

[ELubas]

Hi Barb. I can relate. Lost my girl young in Feb and it took a real toll on my boy. He really slowed down (he is five)and just wanted to hang. We now have a 9 mos old and that has perked him up. He has severe SAS so he is my wonder dog anyway but it was hard to see him so so sad for so long after he lost his sister. Your girl may have lost a little spark when she lost her buddy and she may just be feeling a little tired. I have to say Nysa (my pup) has brought out the pup in Fraze but Fraze also always hated to be alone. Hope your girl is fine and just taking it easy

 

[Kirby Kirb]

Sounds like you need a new addition to the family!!! Ever think of adding another boxer?

 

[catcrazy56]

Sounds like you need a new addition to the family!!! Ever think of adding another boxer?

I agree my friends boxer did the same thing untill they got another dog and now shes back to herself again.

 

[MyGirlHeidi]

Heidi is 6 and she has slowed down some but is still very active with our 2yo ShihTzu. They play every morning, sleep during the day and are back up acting crazy in the evening. If it weren't for Barkley she would probably lay around even more! He gets her up and moving! She still loves walks and playing fetch in the yard. Although, she seems to stop playing sooner than she used to. She is definitely a mellow mama now! I love snuggling with her.

 

[neilsmom2000]

Truth be told, I dont have the heart to add another dog into the family right now. Our hearts broke when Wilson died. And I know I may be risking some backlash here, but I am not entirely sure I have the heart to have another boxer again. I am scared that this is a breed in trouble. After losing Wilson to BCM, and knowing the laundry list of afflictions that plague this precious breed, I am not sure that we could stand the heart ache of losing another dog before his time. My feelings are further cemented by the fact that Wilsons breeder is one of the most respected boxer breeders in our region, who do lots of health testing and are very nutrition conscious. I just feel like if this breeder is supposed to be one of the best, and still their dogs are getting sick and dying (Wilson is not alone, there are others), then what chance do I have of finding a healthy boxer out there. Maybe that sounds hurt and jaded, but it is how I feel.
In the meantime, I will just love my Lara, watch her carefully, and try to cheer her up as best I can.

 

[bretwaynefor]

It sounds more like you had the luck of a bad lotto ticket in terms of health of your poor dog that passed. While our older boy has had his share of smaller problems and some large ones, he's still here over 9 years later.

He slowed down big time once his thyroid problems manifested themselves. Once we got that regulated he was much better. He never was a puppy again, but he was late middle age at that point.

I know it can be heart-breaking to lose a loved one like that, but bringing another into your world only creates a better quality of life for your older boxer. we did this and it's been wonderful. The two are almost 8 years apart and they have a solid bond. We will get another boxer pup after cassius is gone, so Max will not have to mourn too long.

Maybe try for another breeder. There may be a gene strand in that breeders bloodline that causes several ailments. No fault of theirs, just a sad problem.

Don't give up, for the sake of your current wiggler.